Part 11 (2/2)
”He has, senor.”
”And you received my letter?”
”Si, senor.”
”That's all right, then. And now to proceed to the business that has brought me aboard your s.h.i.+p. Having seen your advertis.e.m.e.nt in the _Diario_, I communicated with Don Tomas; but only so far as to get your correct address, with some trifling particulars. For the rest, I've thought it best to deal directly with yourself; as the matter I have in hand is too important to be entrusted to an agent. In short, it requires confidence, if not secrecy, and from what I've heard of you, Senor Lantanas, I feel sure I can confide in you.”
”You compliment me, Senor Montijo.”
”No, no; nothing of the kind. I but speak from the account Silvestre has given me of your character. But now to business. Your s.h.i.+p is advertised for freight, or pa.s.sage?”
”Either, or both.”
”Bound for Valparaiso and intermediate ports?”
”Anywhere down the coast.”
”Have you pa.s.sengers already engaged?”
”Not any as yet.”
”How many can you take?”
”Well, senor, to speak truth, my craft is not intended to carry pa.s.sengers. She's a trading-vessel, as you see. But if you'll step down to the cabin, you can judge for yourself. There's a saloon--not very large, it is true--and sleeping accommodation for six--two snug staterooms that will serve, if need be, for ladies.”
”That'll do. Now about the freight. Don Tomas tells me you have some cargo aboard.”
”A portion of my s.h.i.+p is already occupied.”
”That won't signify to me. I suppose there's enough room left for something that weighs less than a ton, and isn't of any great bulk. Say it will take a score or two of cubic feet. You can find stowage for that?”
”Oh, yes, that and much more.”
”So far good. And you can accommodate three pa.s.sengers: a gentleman and two ladies? In short, myself and the female members of my family--my daughter and grand-daughter?”
”Will the Senor Montijo step into the _Condor's_ cabin, and see for himself?”
”By all means.”
Captain Lantanas leads down the stairway, his visitor following.
The saloon is inspected; after it the sleeping-rooms, right and left.
”Just the thing,” says Don Gregorio, speaking as in soliloquy, and evidently satisfied. ”It will do admirably,” he adds, addressing himself to the skipper. ”And now about terms. What are they to be?”
”That, senor, will depend on what is wanted. To what port do you wish me to take you?”
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